Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has made strengthening the national player pool his No.1 priority before the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil.

This begins with the recall of a number of youth, fringe and uncapped players to the national team for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Saudi Arabia in Europe.

Postecoglou's assessment of the squad after Australia's failed 2014 World Cup campgain found the lack of depth to be its major weak point. A high injury toll revealed a lack of ready-made replacements.

The Socceroos will play a maximum of six friendlies before the Asian Cup in January, and Postecoglou says any chance Australia will fulfil their dream of winning their first senior men's title since joining the AFC hinges on having a far stronger base of players.

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"We need to broaden our squad and create more depth particularly in certain areas in the pitch," he said. "With these games coming up there's an ideal opportunity for us to continue on the road, the journey we started and be pretty bold in our selection policy.

"In terms of the Asian Cup, I really want a bigger squad of players, a bigger pool of players to choose from."

Four uncapped players will be given the opportunity to enter the international circuit as defenders.

Trent Sainsbury and Bailey Wright will be given the chance to stake their claims in the heart of defence while English Premier League duo Chris Herd and Brad Smith are in line to make long-awaited debuts and seal their allegiances to Australia.

Liverpool-owned Smith, now on loan to Swindon, was at risk of being lost to England, having represented the Three Lions at youth level.

He has, however, decided to play for his country of birth. His application has been signed, sealed and delivered to FIFA and he is expected to be deemed eligible by the time Australia plays Belgium on Friday morning (AEST) on September 5.

Aston Villa midfielder Herd appears to have overcome personal issues that threatened to end his career with that club last year after he went AWOL after a team training camp in Portugal.

The 25-year-old has failed to make an appearance for Australia despite playing 36 games in the English Premier League. He has attracted interest from the Scottish FA, which he can represent.

In keeping with Postecoglou's faith in the A-League and, in particular, in young talent, Sydney FC's Terry Antonis and Western Sydney Wanderers striker Tomi Juric have been recalled to the squad alongside Melbourne Victory midfield duo Mark Milligan and Carl Valeri.

Robbie Kruse will make his international return from a ruptured ACL after missing the World Cup, while new Fiorentina signing Joshua Brillante has been recalled.